The plan to create an arts middle and high school in Memphis
The old Humes Middle school building on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian file)
When I first met Katie Smythe back when our kids were in school together, she often talked about launching a new ballet school in Memphis.
Or at least that’s how I heard it.
In fact, she was in the midst of creating New Ballet Ensemble, which is — to say the least — more than just a new ballet school.
Now, Katie is working to turn the old Humes Middle School into a school focused on the arts for middle and high school students.
Katie joined me on this week’s episode of “The Sidebar” to talk about the project — a project with a scale that is incredibly ambitious. The funding needs are massive and the timeline is not short. But Katie is the kind of relentless person who can make these sort of projects happen.
Take a listen.
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
“The Sidebar,” which airs every Thursday at 11:30 a.m. on WYXR 91.7 FM, is also available as a podcast here on the website or wherever you get your podcasts.
Note: WYXR is a partnership between Crosstown Concourse, the University of Memphis and The Daily Memphian. As part of that partnership, I serve on the board of Crosstown Radio Partnership, which owns and oversees WYXR.
Topics
The Sidebar Podcasts Katie Smythe Humes Middle School New Ballet EnsembleEric Barnes
Eric Barnes is CEO of The Daily Memphian, host of Behind the Headlines on WKNO-TV, host of The Sidebar on WYXR 91.7, and the author of four novels.
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